Extractions

It’s easy to overlook tooth extraction as a tool of preventative dentistry. When decay develops or inflammation threatens multiple teeth, removing at least one that is beyond repair can make all the difference to the rest of your oral health.

Our dentist, Dr. LaRock, will do everything he can to save teeth and keep them thriving. But if it’s a better choice to extract them and focus on dental implants or other forms of restorative dentistry, we will make that honest recommendation. We handle simple extractions here at LaRock Dental and can make referrals to local oral surgeons for more complex situations that require full extraction.

When Are Extractions Usually Recommended?

Our team recommends an extraction only when a tooth is beyond saving with reasonable measures. We work to help our patients keep every tooth they can. Yet when the damage is extensive enough, even a root canal and a crown can’t salvage the structure. Putting on a crown on a tooth that is too damaged will only cause you pain and potentially damage otherwise healthy teeth surrounding it.

Extracting the tooth leaves space for a partial denture or dental implant to fill in the gap. It’s best to decide some way to fill that gap since leaving the space open allows other teeth to shift in place, changing the bite pattern and your smile.

What Is the Recovery Like After an Extraction?

Thanks to the combination of medication like antibiotics and the prompt removal of the damaged tooth, recovery after an extraction tends to go rather quickly. Our dental team will tell you how to best care for the extraction site until it heals up entirely. You’ll likely just need a day or two off before returning to your normal routine, experiencing little interruption in your ability to talk. Soft foods for a week or two will help you heal without pain. 

The gap in your smile can be closed up with an implant, often within just a few days or weeks after the extraction, while partial dentures can take a little longer to fit.

Can I Prevent an Extraction in Any Way?

Good oral hygiene, routine visits to us here at LaRock Dental, and prompt treatment of small problems all help prevent extractions. Some extractions aren’t avoidable because they’re caused by trauma created during a car accident or fall. But as long as you take good care of your teeth with daily brushing and flossing, you’ll find yourself dealing with relatively few to no extractions over your lifespan. By working with us to take care of your dental health for life, you may be able to keep all of your natural teeth without losing a single one.

Dealing With Extraction Anxiety

This kind of dental treatment may be essential for good overall oral health, but it can generate quite a bit of anxiety in patients of all ages. We have multiple methods for helping you deal with your anxiety and get you the help you need. 

Extractions are often needed after a patient avoids options like root canals or fillings and to protect the jaw and surrounding teeth. We’ll do our best to get you comfortable and in the office for treatment so your general health isn’t impacted further by the decay. 

Simple vs. Complex Extractions

We only provide simple extractions here in our office in Manchester, MI. Factors that may make extraction more complex include compaction, fractured roots, or abscesses. We’ll help advise you on whether your treatment can be handled in the office or will need a referral for surgical management.

It’s never too late to start fresh with good oral hygiene and health. Address serious issues with treatments like extractions to get back on track with your dental goals. Contact LaRock Dental today for an appointment.